"We must always be sure to avoid language that can dehumanize our brothers and sisters."

The US bishops’ conference released a statement Friday in response to the news reports about Donald Trump referring to certain countries with a vulgar term.

James Rogers, Chief Communications Officer for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, released the statement, which emphasizes that all human beings are made in the image and likeness of God and therefore deserving of our respect and compassion.

Here is the statement:

“Reports of recent disparaging remarks about African countries and Haiti have aroused great concern. As our brothers and sisters from these countries are primarily people of color, these alleged remarks are especially disturbing. All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, and comments that denigrate nations and peoples violate that fundamental truth and cause real pain to our neighbors. It is regrettable that this comes on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and could distract from the urgent bipartisan effort to help Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status. As a vigorous debate continues over the future of immigration, we must always be sure to avoid language that can dehumanize our brothers and sisters.”